“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” — Martin Luther King

Ahh, that garish good luck fish talk. Just when you think winter will never break, and boat owners the region over are relegated to walking around cans of bottom paint forever, the weather offers a glimmer of hope.

Mind you, the forecasted weather is somewhat akin to gas prices — they were so high that now we think $2.60 is low. Same with the temperatures. They’ve been so crummy that just getting back to the normal high range of 65 degree seems like a heat wave!

That’s not all folks, there's fish in that thar’ forecast! Dan’s Tackle Box in Milton reports a smattering of blues have hit the beaches (and they were actually CAUGHT, not just blown ashore by the wind) over the past weekend. I mean, kudos for those folks that were actually out there fishing in that!

“These are the real monsters,” said Dan. “The fish are in the pound and a half range, up to two. Still, it’s something.”

Top baits for the blues will no doubt be either bunker or mullet, the former fresh and the later of course frozen. Reports of the blues hitting the sand down south in Ocean City, Maryland, fuel hopes that a shot of bigger fish may be on the way.

Capt. Rick Yakimowicz reports that they will resume sailing and will be looking for pretty much anything. While certainly the menu will be calling for wreck fishing, no doubt the savvy skipper will be looking for mackerel marks on the way.

Nothing would gladden the hearts of local anglers more (at least, those of us local anglers that actually remember the mackerel runs) than a few weeks' shot at some Atlantic macks.

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Capt. Jack Rodgers(Photo: file photo)

Striped bass have surely been around in the Delaware Bay as commercial harvests can attest. Other than a few short fish around the inlet, however, I’m unaware of any recreational catches.

Certainly the weather hasn’t helped in that regard with the incessant winds surely putting a damper on things. Often the first fish are taken on bloodworms or pieces of bunker soaked in the suds.

At least a few weeks ago the further up the bay you went, the better your odds. Of course, that also ups the odds of your precious bloodworms being inhaled (or at least pecked at) by a small perch or catfish.

Mystifyingly, a few tog have also been caught though the majority have been shorts. White perch action has also held on despite the crummy weather as well.

The sparse sunshine has helped to warm the water despite the frigid temps. Bloodworms, minnows and grass shrimp, should you be able to procure them, are all good choices.